Hospital patients

Volunteers supporting transition to life at home

For more than three years, the Royal Voluntary Service in Dundee has been helping people make that transition.

The home from hospital service provides help to older members of the community to support them as they settle back into their normal lives.

Operating out of Royal Victoria Hospital, the service is made up of more than 50 volunteers who help people that don’t necessarily have immediate family and friends to assist them as they recover.

Speaking today, service coordinator Irene Wallace said volunteers were made up of students, retirees, and people in part-time and fulltime employment.

Working 365 days of the year, they try to help to make a difference to the lives of older people in the community.

She said: “The home from hospital service has been running for more than three years.

“For the most part, it caters for people over the age of 65 that don’t have any friends or family close by.

“We will generally pick up an outgoing patient from hospital and start care assistance from there.

“We usually offer respite for a period of six weeks that could be prolonged, or direct them to other care services in the city.

“The people we encounter have often suffered strokes or broken bones and their confidence may be at a low as they try to return to their lives at home.”

Irene said that simple things can go a long way to help a recovering patient transition back into their regular life.

She said: “Volunteers may do something as simple as going in for a cup of tea or coffee, or taking them out for a walk to help build up their confidence.

“The people that have used our service have really welcomed a volunteer visiting them.

“We held a fundraising event in Bonar Hall for our carers and patients.

“It’s amazing the bond that can be built between a volunteer and a service user.”

Graham Cross, 72, from Ardler, said visits from the RVS members had rebuilt his confidence “no end” after he suffered a brain haemorrhage in September.

He said: “The RVS brought me home at the end of September and are still helping me today.

“I wasn’t aware of the service they did prior to me being admitted to hospital.

“It is incredible that people are taking time out of their lives to help others.

“They assist me with my shopping and picking up medication. It has been a great help.

“It has really helped to build up my confidence since coming out of hospital.”

Irene added that the level of help given by people from Dundee was very “humbling”.

She said: “These volunteers who are helping people adjust back into the home life are doing this entirely off their own backs.

“It’s a great mix of ages, ranging from school age, right up to volunteers in their seventies.

“It is very humbling that people out there are wanting to help complete strangers.

“We always welcome new volunteers into the organisation.

“An increase in members could help us to offer the service to more people.

“If anyone wants to make any inquiries into enrolling with the Royal Voluntary Service, please contact us on 01382 642930.”

It can be a difficult time adjusting from being in hospital due to illness and back into home life.